Landing Vehicle, Tracked, Mark 31-7

LVT3: General
Date of first acceptance 1944 Total acceptances 2,962
Manufacturers
  • Borg-Warner
  • Graham-Paige
Crew 3 men
LVT3: Dimensions
Combat weight 38,600lbs
17,500kg
Height 119"
302cm
Length 294"
745cm
Width 134"
340cm
Ground clearance 19"
48cm
LVT3: Armament
Type Mount
.50cal M2HB MG Mount at front of cargo area
Two .30cal M1919A4 MGs One on each side of cargo area
LVT3: Armor
None
LVT3: Automotive
Engine Twin Cadillac Series 42; 16 cylinder (8/engine), 4 cycle, 90º vee gasoline
Horsepower Net: 220@3,400rpm (110/engine)
Gross: 296@3,200rpm (148/engine)
Torque Net: 488 ft-lb@1,200rpm (244/engine)
Gross: 560 ft-lb@1,200rpm (280/engine)
Transmission Twin Hydramatic, 4 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Controlled differential, steering levers
Brakes Mechanical, external contracting
LVT3: Suspension
Type Road wheels Track return rollers
Torsilastic 11 independently sprung/track 3/track
Drive sprockets Idlers Shock absorbers
13-tooth front drive Adjustable sprocket at rear of track None
LVT3: Track
Outside guide, double pin, extruded grousers
Width 12"
30cm
Pitch 5.5"
14cm
Shoes/track 103
LVT3: Performance
Max level road speed 17mph
27kph
Max water speed 6mph
10kph
Max fording depth Floats Cruising range ~150mi, roads
~75mi, water
~240km, roads
~120km, water

LVT3 can be differentiated from LVT2 and LVT4 by its cab, which was nearer the bow on LVT3. LVT3's cab had three windows, like that of LVT1. LVT3 also had a rear loading ramp, since its engines were mounted in either sponson. Applique armor could be added to LVT3, which decreased its 9,000lb (4,000kg) cargo capacity by 2,900lbs (1,300kg). The engines and transmissions of LVT3 were the same as the light tank M5 Stuart's. LVT3 was colloquially known as Bushmaster.

Beginning in 1949, 1,200 LVT3s were converted to LVT3(C) standard by the Long Beach Naval Shipyard. This involved mounting a .30cal MG in a turret on the vehicle roof and placing another .30cal MG in a ball mount in the cab right bow. A split aluminum cargo cover was installed which could be folded out of the way to on top of either sponson, escape hatches were fitted, and armor was added to the vehicles' sides. The bow of the LVT3(C) was extended to improve buoyancy. The LVT3(C) weighed 45,290lb (20,540kg) loaded; was 301.5" (765.8cm) long; 134.5" (341.6cm) wide; 121.5" (308.6cm) tall; had a ground clearance of 19.5" (49.5cm); and a ground pressure of 12.8psi (.900kg/cm²).

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References

  1. Hunnicutt, R.P. Stuart: A History of the American Light Tank, volume 1. Navato, CA: Presidio Press, 1992. Reprinted with permission from Stuart, R.P. Hunnicutt ©1992, available from Presidio Press, 505B San Martin Drive, Suite 160, Navato, CA 94945.
  2. Research, Investigation and Experimentation in the Field of Amphibian Vehicles. Kalamazoo, MI: Ingersoll Kalamazoo Division, Borg-Warner Corp., Dec 1957.
  3. "Meet the LVT-(3): The Bushmaster." United States Marine Corps Technical Publication No.7. The Bureau of Ships, 1944.
  4. Chamberlain, Peter, and Chris Ellis. British and American Tanks of World War Two. Frome, England: Cassell & Co., 2000.
  5. Crismon, Fred W. U.S. Military Tracked Vehicles. Osceola, WI: Motorbooks International, 1992.
  6. Estes, Kenneth W. "The Marine Corps's Struggle with Armor Doctrine during the Cold War (1945-70)." Camp Colt to Desert Storm: The History of U.S. Armored Forces. Eds. George F. Hofmann, Donn A. Starry. USA: University Press of Kentucky, 1999.
  7. Siemers, Cary. "USA's Landing Vehicle Tracked." World War II Tanks & Vehicles and Advanced Squad Leader. 25 Nov 2000. 16 Jan 2001 <http://www.shadowsfolly.com/WWII/USA/LandingVehicleTracked.htm>.
Last updated 23 Feb 2022.
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